Third time's the charm for the Sundrops returning to Med. Hat for Dec. show

The youngest member of the Sundrops, nine-year-old Jesse, conducts the other members of the group, from left to right, Hailey (14), Darian (13) and Lara (11), during a string performance at the Fort McMurray benefit concert in Swift CurrentFile photo

For those in the Medicine Hat area who hadn't had the chance to see incredible musical talent of Swift Current's Sundrops, a quartet of gifted siblings, perform at one of their previous performances, they will have another opportunity when they come back to the Gas City on Dec. 8.

Each plays a variety of instruments and play everything from top 40 hits to old-time country tunes mixed with some gospel and blues, all of which is family friendly.Hailey, who just turned 16, plays piano, guitar, cello, violin, and drums, as well as sings; Darian, 14, plays guitar, piano, violin, drums, sings, and also composes songs; Lara, 12, vocals, piano, guitar, bass, viola, and cello; and Jesse, 10, piano, violin, guitar, drums, and also provides vocals. They also perform orchestral quartet pieces, some of which are their own compositions.All the kids started playing musical instruments at young ages, and Jesse, aged 10, is quickly catching up to his older siblings.Most of the song-writing is done by Darian, but the whole group has a hand in the process."If we have an idea for music, then we work on that, get a rhythm going, an then work on the lyrics," said Darian.The Sundrops have played at venues and jamborees across the prairie provinces, as well as two tours to Phoenix, AZ. In 2015, they were invited to perform at the Canada Gospel Music celebration in Red Deer and were invited back this past summer. They also performed at a Scandinavian Festival in Minot, North Dakota in September. "There were a lot of people there from all over the place. Even the Doobie Brothers performed there," said Hailey. They had played in Medicine Hat in 2014 and 2015, but Hailey says this performance will be different than their previous shows."We plan to have some new tunes and we have changed our show a lot," said Hailey. "It's all live music and you really have to see it to believe it."The Sundrops will be performing at Medicine Hat College's Eresman Theatre on Dec. 8, with the show starting on stage at 7 p.m. For further info, check out their website at www.thesundrops.com